Objectives • Understand that there is diversity among bicyclists we are designing for in St. Louis • There is a distinct preference in the type of facilities we are providing in the Gateway Bike Plan. • There are a basic and expanded pallet of bikeway types in the Gateway Bike Plan. • Safety is critical, and good design is mandatory. • Funding is available to get it done • Practice using the bikeway “Top 10”.
The BicycleVision – The Gateway Bike Plan will create the bicycle component to the regional transportation network that accommodates all users and promotes consistent design and development of bicycle facilities.
The BicycleMission – Increase the number of people using bicycles for transportation, while reducing the number of crashes involving bicycles
Top Ten Considerations for Bikeways 1. Is the roadway a collector , arterial or neighborhood street? 2. Has the bikeway taken into consideration the primary type of riders using the bikeway? 3. How does the bikeway fit into the roadway segment? 4. Has the bikeway type considered the volume of motor vehicles? 5. Has the bikeway type considered speeds of motor vehicles?
Top Ten Considerations for Bikeways 6. How does the bikeway integrate into the transportation system? 7. Has the bikeway taken into consideration ongoing maintenance? 8. Has the bikeway type considered intersections? 9. What destinations are you connecting? 10. Have you considered the right of way and roadway width ?
Who are we designing our system for?Shared Roadways Separated Bike Lanes Interested but Concerned No Way, No How 60% 33% 60% Strong and Enthused and Fearless Confident Photo - Trailnet Photo – Roger Geller
Bike Network: Note: Bike St. Louis mileage included in the table does not include mileage in the regional network that calls for changes to facility type. Assessment in the plan did not include all BSL routes.
Great Ideas… but how do we make these ideas in St. Louis? Think Complete Streets!
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN1. Allow cyclists to use the road Provide a smooth riding surface Make room for cyclists2. Make road inviting to cyclists Slow traffic down Reallocate roadway space3. Make drivers aware of bicycle presence Stripe or mark or sign when needed4. Build paths where appropriate To supplement the street system
What are bicyclists’ obligations?Ride on the right in the same direction as other trafficObey all traffic signs and signalsUse hand signals to communicate intended movementsEquip their bicycles with a front lamp and a rear reflector (light preferred)
Is the roadway a collector, arterial or neighborhood street?
Definition• Operation of a local street modified to act as a through street for bicyclists and pedestrians• Traffic controls give priority to through cyclists and pedestrians• Through auto traffic is encouraged to use alternate routes
Purpose• To provide continuous low‐stress access within a neighborhood.• To provide a route parallel to desirable high‐ volume travel routes• To create low‐stress connections to family, work and recreation destinations• To provide a network of connected neighborhoods
Why?Walk or bike to school1969 42%2001 16% Health, options, independence and vitality
Features• Safe pedestrian environment for all ages and abilities• Safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian crossings minimizing delay at minor streets• Easy to find and follow• Calming for motor vehicle traffic• Streetscape that slows and discourages through motor vehicle traffic
Features• Parallel to desirable travel routes lacking dedicated bicycle facilities or that make pedestrians uncomfortable• Accommodate pedestrians and cyclists not comfortable using major roads (even with bike lanes and sidewalks)• A “Family‐friendly” alternative for children and/or less experienced riders
When will this work?… with an interconnected grid…when a parallel route exists for through auto traffic
• Quiet Streets are also called Bicycle Boulevards or Neighborhood Greenways• Streets where bicycling and walking is prioritized over motor vehicles• Shared roadways with no specific vehicle or bike lane markings (e.g., a residential street)• Streets with lower travel speeds and low or reduced motor vehicle volumes• A safe environment to walk along and cross as a pedestrian
NACTO Bike Boulevard OutlineTailor streets to existing conditions and desired outcomes;1. Slow motor vehicle speeds2. Low or reduced motor vehicle volumes3. Minimal bicyclist delays at minor intersections4. Safe and convenient major street crossings5. An easy‐to‐find and –follow route
Shared Lane Markings Shared roadway pavement markings are markings used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. SLMs reinforce the validity of bicycle traffic on the road and suggest proper positioning of cyclists on the street. Portland
Shared Lane Markings: Shared Lane Markings: “ What does it do? – Shows cyclists where to ride on the street to avoid doors – Alerts drivers to cyclists Where is it appropriate? – Not enough room for lanes – Parallel parking – High occupancy rate
Use of Shared Lane Markings• Adjacent to on‐street parking to position cyclist outside of door zone• In wide lanes to position away from curb• Narrow lanes (yes, they can go in the middle)• Multi‐lane roads where there is no room for bike lane• Climbing lanes (on downgrade) paired with bike lane• 35 mph or less speed limit
Where not to use SLM’s• On paved shoulders or in bike lanes• Where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph• In door zones
Advantages of bike lanes• Create a lane so cyclists can travel at their own pace ( priority for bikes that allow passing stopped motor vehicles in travel lanes)• Guide cyclists in a manner consistent with good operation (close to traffic, where they’re visible and drivers can predict their movements)• Reduce bicycle / pedestrian conflicts (cyclists no longer ride on sidewalks)• Striping creates conditions that change behaviors• More cyclists on the road leads to increased driver awareness
Bike Lane Basics • Markings are required, signs are optional • Edge lines between bikes and motor vehicles should be 6”, the right bike lane line should be 4” • Keep bike lanes solid and not dotted at unsignalized driveways and alleys • Dot lines through bus stops • In St. Louis we use a helmeted rider and an arrow
Bike Lane Basics • 5 ft. standard width (4 ft. with no curb and gutter)• 5 ft. bike lane is sufficient assuming a 1 ft. wide gutter• In areas that have 2 ft. wide gutter, a 6 ft. wide bike lane is preferred, with 5 ft. as a minimum width in locations with lower speeds• In extremely constrained, urban low speed environments where 5 ft. cannot be achieved and there is no gutter, a 4 ft. wide bike lane is acceptable (assumes adjacent travel lane has been narrowed to the minimum acceptable width)
Car Doors and Bike Lanes• Why this is an issue, and where?• Recommend and reinforcing safer path of travel Use Parking “T’s” extending into bike lane Use parking “T’s” in a wide parking lane Slightly narrower bike lane symbols on the left of lane
Angled Parking• Bike lanes not recommended along front-in angled parking, use Shared Lane Markings• Bike lanes are OK with back-in angled parking if: 1. Parking bays are sufficiently long 2. Solid line separates parking and bike lane Yes No
Colorized Lanes Color applied to bicycle facilities helps alert roadway users to the presence of bicyclists and clearly assigns right-of-way to cyclists. Motorists are expected to yield to cyclists in these areas. Portland
Convenience of Colorized Lanes riding on the street with some psychological separation Novice cyclists are more likely to ride in bike lane, not on sidewalk Street appears narrower - motorists drive slower Used in many cities within the US (Seattle, Olympia, Portland) and worldwide
Convenience of Buffered (Raised) riding on the street + psychological separation of a barrier Mountable curb allows cyclists to leave bike lane for turning or overtaking Motorists feel bump when they stray into curb Novice bicyclists more likely to ride in bike lane rather than on sidewalk
Buffered (Raised)Combines the convenience of riding on the streetwith the psychological separation of a barrier Mountable curb mountable curb
Cycle Track A bicycle exclusive facility that provides physical separation from motorized vehicle traffic within the right of way.Portland
Cycle Track A bicycle exclusive facility that provides physical separation from motorized vehicle traffic within the right of way. Combines the user experience of a separated path with the on-street infrastructure of a bike lane.Portland
Request to ExperimentFHWA experimentation procedure:Requests for experimentation shouldoriginate with the agency responsible formanaging the roadway where experiment willtake place.That organization forwards the request to theFHWA.The FHWA must approve the experimentbefore it begins.
Request to ExperimentAll requests must include:A statement of the nature of the problem, including datathat justifies the need for a new device or application.Describe the proposed change, how it was developed,how it deviates from the current MUTCD.Illustrations that enhance understanding of the deviceor its use.Explain how the device was developed, if it has beentried, the adequacy of its performance, and the processby which the device was chosen.A statement that the concept of the traffic control deviceis not protected by a patent or copyright.
Request to ExperimentAll requests must include:The time period and locations of the experiment.A detailed research or evaluation plan. Before and afterstudies, quantitative data enabling a scientifically-soundevaluation of the performance.An agreement to restore the site following completion.Agreement to terminate the experiment if the experimentcauses significant safety hazards.An agreement to provide progress reports for theduration of the experiment.